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Have been wanting a new truck for YEARS, but something always came up... COVID... skyrocketing prices... supply chain issues... no inventory... etc. I know YouTube isn't exactly a beacon of honesty & integrity, but I see SOOOOO many videos where everyone says that everything new is JUNK. Currently, I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Tradesman (which I bought new)... has the 6.4L hemi & 4.10s. Other than a rash of recalls the first year or two, it's been flawless for 64k miles. I'd like a few upgrades if I buy new... (don't even get me started on sticker shock... oof) Am thinking of stepping up to an 7.3L (gas) F350, for a little extra payload when towing my RV. A bigger backup cam would be a HUGE plus when hooking up the trailer. Trim-wise, I'm thinking Lariat (Ultimate) or King Ranch with the Tremor package (to get the 4.30s). The electronics in todays trucks seem like a minefield, not to mention poor quality (and poor service) in general. I've always done my own general maintenance. To put it frankly... I'm scared to buy new because of all the horror stories I've heard. There's nothing really wrong with the Ram... I'd just like something a little better equipped... and a little newer. But if push comes to shove, I can keep what I have too. The financing side of things is a bit of a sticky wicket too. Three or four years ago, I could've sold the Ram for (almost) what I paid for it. Now, I'm gonna take a bath... dealerships are probably not going to want a 10 year old truck on their lot (even though it looks like new). It would be pricey enough to where most buyers would not come up with cash, & a 10 year old truck would likely be difficult to finance. I also struggle with the idea of forking over $50k-60k (above/beyond trade) just for a few options... though it WOULD be newer. Anyone care to give me a push one way or the other??? the rig
Am thinking of stepping up to an 7.3L (gas) F350, for a little extra payload when towing my RV......Trim-wise, I'm thinking Lariat (Ultimate) or King Ranch with the Tremor package (to get the 4.30s)
Unless you really want the Tremor package specifically (which is not bad btw), I don' think you need to go Tremor on the F-350 if what you're really after is the 4.30 rear. IIRC, with the 7.3L, you can just select 4.30 instead of the standard 3.73 for a $385 MSRP upcharge.
I started off with the XLT due to similar concerns, but ended up ordering the Lariat Ultimate at the end of the day. With all of the electronics in these trucks and how expensive they are when they fail, I am seriously considering the Ford ESP warranty even though I have never believed in extended warranties before. I've also done all my own general (and sometimes beyond general) maintenance, and hope to continue doing at least some of that with the 7.3L gasser.
Last edited by Stiletto364; Mar 1, 2026 at 09:11 AM.
if im reading it correctly. theres not a thing wrong with your ram and you just want to shell out 70 or 80k to keep up with the joneses. makes perfect sense and your thinking alignes perfectly with many of the members here. youll fit in great
The quality of the '26s is still sub par. The plastic trim on the dash is noisy and I'll fitting. The software glitches out a couple times a week. On the brighter side, the price keeps going up.
I've had 6 '26 F450 Lariats since August. They are all about the same.
I buy the Tremor package. I like it. Have had a '23 '24 and '25.Tremor.
The seats in the Lariat are comfortable. The Limited seats (Platinum Plus now) are not. Really hard on the tail bone for some reason.
I like these trucks. Just want you to have some of my perspective.
A lot of grouches on this forum. I've been a member for 20 years. Since before I was the Joneses.
Unless you really want the Tremor package specifically, I don' think you need to go Tremor on the F-350 if what you're after is the 4.30 rear. IIRC, with the 7.3L, you can just select 4.30 instead of the standard 3.73 for a $385 MSRP upcharge.
I started off with the XLT due to similar concerns, but ended up ordering the Lariat Ultimate at the end of the day. With all of the electronics in these trucks and how expensive they are when they fail, I am seriously considering the Ford ESP warranty even though I have never believed in extended warranties before. I've also done all my own general (and sometimes beyond general) maintenance, and hope to continue doing at least some of that with the 7.3L gasser.
The Tremor is only offered on the suburban soccer dad configuration anyway since you can't get it with long beds. The money is better used to get FAR better suspension package including shocks, and tires . The only thing missing is the front LSD but eh, I get by fine with the rear locker alone.
I have no complaints with my 26 aside from a paint debris spray but I don't care much about paint. No rattles, drives fine, transmission shifts fine. Can't ask for anything more than that.
Sounds like your Ram has been good to you, I’d keep it. Throw some coin into the stereo and seats, upgrade the suspension and give the motor/tranny/driveline a flush. Anything new is a gamble and 65k with taxes. I’d rather spend 10k and improve what I have.
if im reading it correctly. theres not a thing wrong with your ram and you just want to shell out 70 or 80k to keep up with the joneses. makes perfect sense and your thinking alignes perfectly with many of the members here. youll fit in great
It's 10 years old. Crap will start needing repairs. Any 10 years has brought many new changes and upgrades.
if im reading it correctly. theres not a thing wrong with your ram and you just want to shell out 70 or 80k to keep up with the joneses. makes perfect sense and your thinking alignes perfectly with many of the members here. youll fit in great
At 16 years old, my truck has had enough. I was going to replace it at 10, but between covid and a bunch of other stuff, that did not happen (including my car dying at just 12 years old.
My truck is in great condition, but it's getting very expensive to keep it that way. I've spent a years worth of car payments this year doing so and I don't see it getting less expensive. If I was okay driving a truck that was slowly dying, I would keep it for another 10, but I need a reliable truck, not one that leaves me on the side of the road...TWICE...because of brake line/power steering issues like this one did (both sets of lines fully replaced front to back with factory at 5 and 2 years ago). Maybe I am good for 6 more years, maybe for 6 months, but it's no longer acceptable to ME...I suspect there are others that feel the same way....
if im reading it correctly. theres not a thing wrong with your ram and you just want to shell out 70 or 80k to keep up with the joneses. makes perfect sense and your thinking alignes perfectly with many of the members here. youll fit in great
fair... there's some truth to that... I've always had 3 or 4 cars... all are paid off... and I typically rotate through the fleet, replacing one of them every couple of years. This is the longest I've ever kept a vehicle (10 years). I've always done well, minimizing depreciation by making good deals. I SHOULD have upgraded about 5-6 years ago, but with COVID & all the subsequent issues with pricing, supply, etc., the timing just wasn't right. Now... it's a different world... I'm in a position where I'd take a financial bath to upgrade, and I'm not sure if the upgrade (and apparent lack of quality/service) is worth it. I'd probably finance a portion of it, just to maintain my credit score, as I'm totally debt free since I paid off the house. I've heard about so many quality issues... loose trim, etc. so wanted to reach out & see what others experiences were.
Unless you really want the Tremor package specifically (which is not bad btw), I don' think you need to go Tremor on the F-350 if what you're really after is the 4.30 rear. IIRC, with the 7.3L, you can just select 4.30 instead of the standard 3.73 for a $385 MSRP upcharge.
I started off with the XLT due to similar concerns, but ended up ordering the Lariat Ultimate at the end of the day. With all of the electronics in these trucks and how expensive they are when they fail, I am seriously considering the Ford ESP warranty even though I have never believed in extended warranties before. I've also done all my own general (and sometimes beyond general) maintenance, and hope to continue doing at least some of that with the 7.3L gasser.
I've thought about ordering... as trying to find dealer stock with the 4.30s & NOT Tremor package is rare as hen's teeth. My main beef with the Tremor package is the step/rock rails... they might be a big high when using the ramp to get my 11+ year old Great Pyrenees on board.
I've thought about ordering... as trying to find dealer stock with the 4.30s & NOT Tremor package is rare as hen's teeth. My main beef with the Tremor package is the step/rock rails... they might be a big high when using the ramp to get my 11+ year old Great Pyrenees on board.
I bought some of these steps for my dogs and they have worked out well. They get out of the truck fine, and one of them gets in with no problem, but this allows them both to just walk right up into the truck easy peasy. I leave it in the back of the bed so I can grab it real quick and put it in place. My truck is stock height, although it is a 4x4 with the snow plow/camper package so it sits as high as they will sit stock. I did put slightly taller tires on too, but the steps work great.
I bought some of these steps for my dogs and they have worked out well. They get out of the truck fine, and one of them gets in with no problem, but this allows them both to just walk right up into the truck easy peasy. I leave it in the back of the bed so I can grab it real quick and put it in place. My truck is stock height, although it is a 4x4 with the snow plow/camper package so it sits as high as they will sit stock. I did put slightly taller tires on too, but the steps work great.
tried those... even got the ones with the closed riser... they freaked him out.
It's 10 years old. Crap will start needing repairs. Any 10 years has brought many new changes and upgrades.
P.S. - Get over yourself.
are you kidding. unless his truck had spent the last 5yr on the worst oilfield logging roads (clearly it hasnt) , its not even close to being worn out.
some people just dont realize how good they have it. looking cool going past walmarts front doors is more important than a trouble free vehicle that costs virtually nothing to own
If I were going to do it, I'd probably get a Tremor. It does knock off some payload, but the electronic assisted steering is nice. I'm not convinced you get the full $4,000 back later, but you probably get some back vs the trucks that don't have it.
Imo the 23+ trucks don't seem as well put together as Super Duties of the past. I don't think they are complete junk though. My Bluetooth connected faster then the speed of sound on my 22. And my 24 takes 3 business days and a couple of swear words.
Never owned a Ram, and never owned a 7.3. Not much help there. I guess those questions would needed to be answered by the Joneses and Suburban Dad's, or whoever/whatever else has been ranted about in this thread.
